U.S. HELPS JAMAICAN ANTI-DRUG EFFORT

KINGSTON, Jamaica -- The United States will provide Jamaica with $2
million in equipment and aid to bolster the Caribbean nation's
efforts against drug trafficking.

The agreement was signed earlier this week in Kingston by outgoing
National Security Minister K.D. Knight and U.S. Ambassador Sue Cobb.

Under the agreement, Jamaican anti-drug authorities will be provided
with speedboats for marine patrols and advanced luggage scanning
machines for use in the island's two international airports.

The money will also fund closer cooperation between U.S. and Jamaican
anti-drug authorities.

The U.S. government's annual drug war report released earlier this
year named Jamaica as the Caribbean's leading transshipment point for
U.S.-bound Colombian cocaine.